NBA Communications

NEW YORK – D.J. Stephens of the Iowa Energy was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, March 21through Sunday, March 27. It’s the first Performer of the Week honor of his career.

On March 24, he recorded 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc, to go with nine rebounds, two steals and one block in a 108-105 victory over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. On March 26, he scored a season-high 29 points on 10-of-13 shooting to go with seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in a 122-104 win over Fort Wayne.

The 3-0 week extends Iowa’s winning streak to six and leaves it 2.5 games behind the Westchester Knicks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Stephens made his NBA debut for the Milwaukee Bucks in March 2014. After playing overseas last season he joined the Canton Charge before the season and was traded to the Energy earlier this month. For the season, he is averaging 8.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.